Fatty Liver Screening: Early Detection Helps Protect and Restore Liver Health
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are emerging as “new silent health threats” across Thailand and Asia. Key risk factors are rooted in modern lifestyles, including an unbalanced diet, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic dysfunction, which often have an early onset at a younger age.
The primary issue is that early-stage fatty liver disease is asymptomatic, leaving many unaware of the risks developing in their bodies until inflammation or scarring (fibrosis) has already occurred, at which point treatment becomes more challenging.
Common Misconceptions About Liver Disease: Normal Liver Enzymes ≠ Healthy Liver
Standard annual health checkups can give a false impression that ‘the liver is still healthy' simply because ALT/AST levels fall within the normal range. However, the reality is:
- 70–80% of individuals with moderate to severe fatty liver disease have normal liver enzyme levels.
- Patients with early fibrosis may also show normal enzyme results because damaged liver cells can no longer release enzymes into the bloodstream.
Consequently, relying solely on blood tests is insufficient for detecting liver disease in the modern era.
LiverScan: Technology for Early Detection of Fatty Liver Disease
LiverScan or other advanced ultrasound-based technologies provide a non-invasive, painless, and highly accurate method for assessing liver tissue. These tools can simultaneously evaluate:
- Liver Fat Accumulation (CAP Score / Steatosis): Measures the amount of fat deposited in the liver in detail, even before symptoms develop.
- Liver Stiffness (kPa / Fibrosis Stage): Assesses liver fibrosis from stage F0 to F4, which is essential for differentiating NAFLD from NASH.
LiverScan is therefore considered a “new standard” for liver disease screening in clinics that focus on proactive care and early prevention before disease progression.
A longevity-focused approach to liver care goes beyond a LiverScan. It requires a comprehensive analysis of the entire metabolic system through a metabolic checkup, which includes:
- Glucose–Insulin–HOMA-IR (to assess insulin resistance)
- Lipids–Cholesterol–Triglycerides
- Inflammatory Markers (CRP, ESR)
- Essential Vitamins, such as Vitamin D, B12, and Ferritin.
- Metabolic Hormones and Biomarkers
The Advanced Screening Can Identify the Underlying Cause of Fatty Liver Disease
Once the root cause is determined, doctors can formulate a targeted and personalized treatment plan. Body composition analysis (BCA) assesses visceral fat volume, a key indicator of insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Using DXA or BCA provides a comprehensive picture of the patient’s metabolic health:
- Whether muscle mass is adequate
- Where fat is distributed and accumulated in the body
- Whether the metabolic system is in a high-risk state
This data enables doctors to design a highly personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
References
- EASL–EASD–EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines (2016). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Hepatology.
- Chalasani N, et al. (2018). The diagnosis and management of NAFLD: Practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Hepatology.
- Sanyal AJ. (2019). Past, present, and future perspectives in NAFLD/NASH. Hepatology Communications.
- Castera L, et al. (2012). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography. Hepatology.
- Buzzetti E, et al. (2016). The multiple-hit pathogenesis of NAFLD. Metabolism.
